Chris

Johnson

Johnson said in March that he would be open to a reunion with the Titans, but he never generated any interest on the open market. Now 33, Johnson rushed for 2,006 yards under Jeff Fisher in Tennessee in 2008. It was an historic season — Johnson’s 2,509 yards from scrimmage set an all-time record that still stands — but he was never quite the same after handling the ball 408 times as a sophomore. Johnson hangs up his cleats with a career YPC of 4.46. He caught 307 passes in 10 seasons. Although not headed to Canton, Johnson had a memorable, noteworthy career.

The Titans are kicking themselves for not getting Johnson the ball more against the Jags, which makes sense because he’s their best player. Specifically, Munchak told reporters he wants Johnson “closer to 20 carries” in Week 2. Johnson finished the opener with 15 touches (nine carries, six catches). Unfortunately, he’ll have to deal with the Baltimore run defense on Sunday.

Johnson managed just 53 rushing yards on 24 carries, losing key carries to Javon Ringer and hearing boos from his hometown crowd. “The focus was Chris Johnson, and we got after him,” Ray Lewis said. Most teams’ goal will be to stop CJ2K, but few have talent like the Ravens to execute that plan. He’s an ideal “buy low” candidate heading into Week 3.

Johnson saved fantasy owners from a near-zero with an impressive 34-yard reception on a downfield route after he lined up at receiver. In terms of his rushing performance, we wish we could say there were positive signs. While Johnson is clearly a more explosive option than Javon Ringer, at times CJ2K seems to be playing disinterested, and he’s inconsistent in terms of finishing runs. The Titans’ coaches are going to need to emphasize fixing the run game going forward, especially if Kenny Britt (knee) misses time. Neither Johnson nor Ringer (6 carries, -6 yards Sunday) can get anything going.

After reviewing film of last week’s game, Prisco noted that the Broncos defense had backfield penetration of 10 of Johnson’s 13 carries. There’s no question that Johnson has been out of sync with his blockers, which goes a long way toward explaining his hesitancy to hit holes through three games. The Titans are last in the NFL in rushing, averaging just 51.7 yards per game. That figure was at 107.9 yards per last year behind Pro Football Focus’ 32nd-ranked run blocking. CJ2K has nowhere to go but up once he gets back in sync.

That number would have been dead last by nearly five percentage points last season. Joyner defines a favorable blocking situation as one in which the blockers don’t allow the defenders to do anything to disrupt the rush attempt. Joyner also notes that Chris Palmer’s play-calling is less imaginative than Mike Heimerdinger’s last season. Joyner concedes that the situation “may very well improve,” but the core problems are rooted enough to make it a steep climb for Johnson.

The extent is unknown, but the Titans were getting drilled by the Steelers, so his absence may have more been precautionary. Johnson’s third-quarter touchdown was his first this season. Tennessee’s quick, large deficit affected his carry total, in addition to the hamstring twinge. The Titans have a Week 6 bye, so Johnson can use the off week to get back to 100 percent. He’s coming off 177 total yards and the score in his last two games.

Munchak fully anticipates Johnson starting after the Week 6 bye. Through the first five games, Johnson is averaging a career-worst 3.01 yards per carry. The off week should help in terms of timing between Johnson, fullback Ahmard Hall, and the offensive line. The Titans play the Texans in Week 7.

“I was set to go back in,” he said, “but they didn’t want to injure it more knowing that the game was pretty much out of hand.” Javon Ringer closed out the blowout loss for Tennessee. Johnson has a Week 6 bye to recuperate.

The Titans are dead last in the league in rushing yards per game and Chris Johnson is averaging 3.01 yards per carry. “We all thought we’d kind of be out of this by now,” Munchak said. “We have been saying it needs to get better, and it definitely needs to get better. We are working on it.” The extra practice time should help Johnson get in better sync with his blockers. There’s plenty of room to “buy low” here.